# How to Find, Analyze, and Track Legislation

### Summary

Find statutes and regulations using vLex Library's search tools, then analyze them to see if they are still in force and track their history using the integrated **Versions** and **Amendments** tabs.

### Why This is Important

Relying on outdated or repealed legislation is a critical error in legal research. This guide shows you how to not only find the law but also verify its current status and understand its evolution, ensuring your legal arguments are built on a solid foundation.

### How to Find and Analyze Legislation

1. **Find the Legislation:** Use the **Smart Searchbar** and the **Statutes and Regulations** filter, or use **Advanced Search** for a more targeted query.
2. **Check its Status:** On the results page and at the top of the document, look for an indicator showing if the legislation is **In force** (green) or **Repealed**.
3. **Navigate the Document:** Use the **Table of contents** on the left to jump to specific sections. Use the **Search in this document** field to find keywords within the text.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="English Interface" %}

<figure><img src="https://1556743161-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MS8Dq_iqEIflAmbaOkI-887967055%2Fuploads%2Fj7Pm4V0nlaYwPNmugOxX%2FInstantly%20check%20the%20status%20of%20legislation%20at%20the%20top%20of%20the%20document%20viewer..gif?alt=media&#x26;token=2400bf6e-bd4b-4e47-acdf-ee3f85dd9da4" alt=""><figcaption><p>Instantly check the status of legislation at the top of the document viewer.</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Interfaz en Español (" %}

<figure><img src="https://1556743161-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MS8Dq_iqEIflAmbaOkI-887967055%2Fuploads%2FUe7hBMCQgqfbGf1CHkoR%2FCompruebe%20al%20instante%20el%20estado%20de%20la%20legislacio%CC%81n%20en%20la%20parte%20superior%20del%20visor%20de%20documentos..gif?alt=media&#x26;token=ddfa566a-d5fa-4462-8711-25763eb00881" alt=""><figcaption><p>Compruebe al instante el estado de la legislación en la parte superior del visor de documentos.</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

### How to Track Versions and Amendments

vLex Library provides powerful tools to understand how legislation has changed over time.

#### Using the Versions Tab (for consolidated texts)

For legislation where vLex has the consolidated text, the **Versions** tab is available.

* Click the **Versions** tab to see a list of all previous versions.
* Click **View changes** next to a version to see a side-by-side comparison, with deleted text in red and added text in green.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="English Interface" %}

<figure><img src="https://1556743161-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MS8Dq_iqEIflAmbaOkI-887967055%2Fuploads%2F1IclnQeBgOPo0Dq1zOP5%2FThe%20comparison%20tool%20makes%20it%20easy%20to%20see%20exactly%20what%20has%20changed%20between%20versions.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=4ad98062-416b-443c-8b1e-ef57892ad0ce" alt=""><figcaption><p>The comparison tool makes it easy to see exactly what has changed between versions.</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Interfaz en Español (" %}

<figure><img src="https://1556743161-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MS8Dq_iqEIflAmbaOkI-887967055%2Fuploads%2FwETL3VDwDkyxou08Cs4J%2FLa%20herramienta%20de%20comparacio%CC%81n%20facilita%20ver%20exactamente%20que%CC%81%20ha%20cambiado%20entre%20versiones..gif?alt=media&#x26;token=d65e59cf-fc8b-47c7-9391-3522548a38f9" alt=""><figcaption><p>La herramienta de comparación facilita ver exactamente qué ha cambiado entre versiones.</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

#### Using the Amendments Tab (where consolidated texts are not available)

If a consolidated version is not available, use the **Amendments** tab.

* **Amending items:** Shows a list of documents that have *modified* the legislation you are viewing.
* **Amended items:** Shows a list of documents that have been *modified by* the legislation you are viewing.

<figure><img src="https://1556743161-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MS8Dq_iqEIflAmbaOkI-887967055%2Fuploads%2FbUWXJbEJDIIn6Rw6m5jg%2F_Use%20the%20Amendments%20tab%20to%20see%20which%20laws%20changed%20or%20were%20changed%20by%20the%20legislation%20you%E2%80%99re%20viewing.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=51c54d64-ccc7-4916-8f5e-564bc5a58f7f" alt=""><figcaption><p>Use the Amendments tab to see which laws changed or were changed by the legislation you’re viewing.</p></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
**Historical Version Warning:** If you are viewing an older version of a law, vLex will often display a warning with a direct link to the current, in-force version. Always ensure you are relying on the correct version for your matter.&#x20;
{% endhint %}

### Best Practices & Pro Tips

* **Check "Cited In":** Use the **Cited In** tab to see how the legislation has been interpreted and applied in subsequent case law.

### Relevant Video Content

{% embed url="<https://vimeo.com/917899652?share=copy>" %}

### Related Articles

* [How to Access Official Journals and Gazettes](https://support.vlex.com/vlex-library/vlex-library-home/content-and-document-types/how-to-access-official-journals-and-gazettes)
* [How to Find and Use Legal Forms and Practice Notes](https://support.vlex.com/vlex-library/vlex-library-home/content-and-document-types/how-to-find-and-use-legal-forms-and-practice-notes)
* [How to Stay Updated on Legal Developments](https://support.vlex.com/vlex-library/vlex-library-home/workflows-and-productivity-tools/how-to-stay-updated-on-legal-developments)

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